I'm acquainted with Vanessa Poster and agree with her on a variety of matters. But I must strongly disagree with her letter regarding a Nativity scene in a public park (Letters to the South Bay Editor, Dec. 3, "American Spiritual Liberties Union"). If the Redondo Beach City Council justifies its decision by noting other religions are welcome to display their traditional holiday symbols, this is not called naivete, as Poster claims; this is called inclusiveness. The ASLU cannot be penalized if other religions don't "have the finances and the elaborate decorations already prepared for public display."

A UNITED NATIONS AGENCY smacked Hollywood last week with a rolled-up parchment, adopting a "cultural diversity" convention that says countries may subsidize or shelter their local creative industries. To the U.S. government -- joined only by Israel in voting against the document -- the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's convention was thinly veiled protectionism.

The Cultural Awareness and Resource Exchange group, or CARE, will meet tonight to discuss ways to promote cultural diversity in a city that is 52% non-white. The group, which formed last year, sponsored a multicultural concert in August.

With hopes of enriching Anaheim-area schools with the number of different cultures now flooding the city, the Anaheim Youth Commission has developed a blueprint to encourage cultural learning experiences. The plan targets both in-class and extracurricular activities that high schools could establish to better familiarize students with ethnic groups.

I read with amusement the statements made by Councilman Robert Farrell concerning the ordinance to outlaw animal sacrifices practiced by groups such as satanic cults and Santeria adherents ("Animal Sacrifice Ban Gains," Part B, Sept. 19). Farrell argues that because sacrifice is an expression of people's faith, we must be careful in applying our middle-class standards and consider this a "challenge to the cultural diversity of our city and the tolerance of religious practices." What twaddle.

Re Peter Ellenstein's response to Laurie Winer's review of "Methuselah" performed by the Los Angeles Repertory Co. ("Criticism of 'Methuselah' Overlooks Its Worthiness," Counterpunch, March 17): I was proud to be performing in ["Methuselah"]. Ellenstein drew attention to Winer's use of the word "loopy." This is a word that trips happily off the tongue of my 7-year-old son but is hardly indicative of deep thought. Ellenstein's article has made me aware that the critic has a greater responsibility to a city of such cultural diversity where the theater's hold on the public imagination is tenuous.

In reading your editorial "Public Parks Should Be That" (June 5), about attempts to close Jack Fisher Park in northwest Santa Ana so Latino families won't go there anymore, I felt sorry for those few white people who are so closed-minded about cultures other than their own. Fear on behalf of these people is potentially dangerous in a city where the majority of its residents are Latino. The city should try to enlighten these white folks rather than pit them against Latinos. Whether cultural diversity in Santa Ana is accepted will largely depend on the present leadership of the city.

Pacific Islanders are not Asians! I would write it 500 times if I thought you'd print it. The U.S. Census Bureau no longer counts Pacific Islanders as Asians. Why, one wonders, is the Orange County Department of Education less enlightened than the Census Bureau ("Changing Faces in South County Schools," graphic, March 23)? No one should be more aware than educators that Pacific Island children are not racially, linguistically, culturally or religiously Asians any more than are American Indians or Alaskan Natives.

Teams from Imperial High School in Pasadena and John A. Rowland High School in Rowland Heights are among the seven winners of the Ambassadors to Singapore Competition sponsored by the Los Angeles Times In Education Program and Singapore Airlines. The students and teachers will travel to Singapore on March 5 for a nine-day trip that includes educational and sightseeing opportunities.